2011 Winter Meetings

Your Winter Meetings thread. I’ll update when I can, but I figure we’ll let the comments take care of the breaking news.

Here’s what we already know – Jose Reyes is taking his talents to South Beach. Did you know that they are the “Miami Marlins” now? Isn’t that Jamie Foxx’s team in Any Given Sunday? Rumor is that Buehrle could be next. It’s about time for the Marlins to buy another WS. Hey, whatever works. Though I’m not sure if anyone can afford Reyes, Buehrle andPujols.

Reports say he was chasing a slider that was low and away but he just couldn’t hit the brakes in time to hold up.

Coleman

December 6, 2011 at 9:44 pm

My favorite comment from the Free Press site: Too bad he couldn’t
have run into a multi-player trade.

Kevin in Dallas

December 6, 2011 at 10:47 pm

Just walked into the Winter Meetings, looking for Ol’ JL.

Coleman

December 7, 2011 at 9:56 pm

I know our contest budget here at DTW is not what is used to be. But I think it would be worthwhile to post a challenge for the best prediction of what a conversation between Kevin in Dallas and Jim Leyland would go like.

Scenario 2: Ramirez to the Tigers for Austin Jackson, Jacob Turner and a prospect

Jackson didn’t have a great year with the bat, but he’s an ace in center field, something the Marlins need. And while Turner doesn’t have a big-time ceiling in my opinion, he could still project as high as a No. 2 starter in the NL. Detroit could add a prospect to the mix, but the Marlins get a lot back in pitching and defense here. Detroit could certainly use the bat, and could move Jhonny Peralta to third base, keeping Ramirez at the position he wants to play.

Again, not a likely one, particularly because I think Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski really see the value of Jackson in center at Comerica. He covers a ton of ground. But a middle of the order with Ramirez, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in some order would do some damage. And the Tigers could afford to take on the remainder of Ramirez’s deal.

Coleman

December 7, 2011 at 7:39 pm

Well, Buehrle is off the table…but supposedly the Tigers are the frontrunner for Dotel. (Ryan Perry, it was nice to kn

Coleman

December 7, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Well, Buehrle is off the table…but supposedly the Tigers are the frontrunner for Dotel. (Ryan Perry, it was nice to know ‘ya).

“Somebody told me today that Inge has been working so hard that he gained 17 pounds (this off-season),” Dombrowski said. “We haven’t told him you’ve got to gain weight. It just shows how committed he is to getting ready.

Coleman

December 9, 2011 at 12:04 pm

Apparently I have been working hard also. I may not be as committed as Inge yet, but there is still a lot of the holiday season left.

Vince in MN

December 9, 2011 at 1:37 pm

How does fatter and slower make you a better batter or 3B?

Vince in MN

December 9, 2011 at 1:38 pm

In other words, Inge is in the best shape of his career!

Randy

December 10, 2011 at 12:08 am

What does everyone think of cespedes kid? Heard asking price may be in the 7 year 10-12 mil year. My thought is back off and go after that other cuban kid that would need year or two in minors but he’s 5 yrs younger then cespedes!

Vince in MN

December 11, 2011 at 10:06 pm

Perry traded to Nationals for Balester. Yawn.

There was no spot for Perry. Now there is no spot for Balester. Maybe Balester is more valuable as part of a package deal later on, e.g. with Young to ATL for Prado. Otherwise he is just roster fodder for Toledo.

Speaking of (ex-)Tiger pitchers who spell their name P—y, Purcey (remember: the lefty reliever the Tigers had there eye on for a long time and liked that they got from OAK early last year, but was really awful) just signed a minor league deal with somebody or other.

Speaking of another (ex-) Tiger who spells his name P—y, has anybody heard anything about Bad Penny this winter – not that it matters, but it has been kind of slow on Tigers news lately.

Jeff Molby

December 12, 2011 at 12:06 am

Perry wasn’t good enough for the 7th inning and he didn’t have the endurance to be a long man. Balester supposedly fits as the long reliever. It’s a minor trade, obviously, but it appears on paper that everyone is a little better off by it.

Penny? He’ll be scooped up for $2m by whoever is still short a starter on Valentine’s Day.

He’s not crazy to be asking for three top prospects. I’d give Turner, Smyly, and a throw-in in a heartbeat, but 3B is such a glaring hole in our organization that we need to keep Nick.

Dr. Detroit

December 15, 2011 at 9:37 am

Something that would make our staff a machine over a 162 game season, but not at that price. Beane is shooting for the moon because that is how negotiations in baseball work, and in return DD should offer Turner (we have decent young, right-handed pitchers up in the Show already, I think) and Castellanos and see if Beane bites.

Castellanos may become a good/great player someday, but the fact that we may have in a glowing hole at 3B so we need to keep him should not be a consideration. Outside of SS, C and CF, players occupying other positions are there because of their bat, not their defensive capabilities. It is very common that a centerfielder can play left or right field, or a SS can play second or third, or a catcher can play 3B, 1st or even a corner slot in the outfield to move up the ranks, but very rare to hear that a guy can shift from another position to those three positions in order to get him up to the Show. It may be that he becomes a great slugger as he matures (his numbers are promising) but the kid is 19 years old. We have a 3-5 year window with our two future hall of famers in their prime to make a run, and trading promising 19 year old sluggers who play 3B for a 3 something ERA lefty is worth it.

Andrew in Toronto

December 16, 2011 at 3:41 pm

Al Al has had surgery for an elbow problem and is now out until at least the All Star break.

Vince in MN

December 16, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Going hard at Dotel makes more sense now, since they were obviously aware of this. Still, this leaves a couple of BP spots up for grabs and it will be interesting to see if they continue to pad it through trades/signings or just wait for ST to settle the debate. Joel Zumaya anyone?

Coleman

December 16, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Following your same logic, they also knew this when they dumped Ryan Perry, so it’s pretty clear they were just done with him. (Purcey–who is somehow good enough for the Phillies–was also unceremoniously disposed of). I think one of the minor league arms will get a shot at the BP, with Al-Al / trade deadline pickup as backup plan.

The Only Tiger Fan in Mississippi

December 19, 2011 at 2:11 pm

Just a reminder to all that today (19DEC11) is Number 6’s birthday!

I still can recall the first time I saw him in person; it was at game in 1966 at Tiger Stadium against the Orioles. I recall Kaline coming out to the on-deck circle batting cleanup and to an 11-year old kid, he was like a god quietly going about his business to get ready to bat in a cool and confident manner. Al went 2 for 4 in that game with a double. Tigers took the lost 8-1 but some power guy named Don Wert hit a homer for the Tigers.

I saw him play many games until the end of his career in 1973. We would go every Lutheran Night and sit in RF stands to give Al, our fellow Lutheran “spirital support.” Of his many talents that were enjoyable to watch, the most I enjoyed was seeing that rocket arm fire bullets from right field. It was the exclaimation point of this talents and one that is missing these days from alot of our current superstars talents.

My brother and Dad made game 5 of the ’68 World Series and to this day, he still has his scorebook. He brings the scorebook with him to all games in hopes of running into Al so he can get him to sign it. To me that game was the pinnicle Al’s career with his 2 run move ahead single in the 7th to seal the game. The Cardinals never lead after that hit.

Happy Birthday Mr. Tiger!

Coleman

December 20, 2011 at 4:13 pm

The Rangers and Angels continue to make the Red Sox and Yankees look like the Indians and Royals…Texas wins the Yu Darvish sweepstakes, acquiring negotiating rights for 51.7 million. How is that money counted against the salary cap? Oh wait, this baseball, nevermind…

Kevin in Dallas

December 21, 2011 at 2:38 pm

Great story on how scouts stack up Yu Darvish against other elite righties. Gonna need insider (sorry).

Only Tiger Fan in Mississippi A good read on the Tiger's inability to work any deals during the Winter Meetings.
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/12/05/detroit-tigers-winter-meetings/95021824/
I have thought all was

StorminNorman$ http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/red-sox-to-acquire-chris-sale.html
DD still making the moves - Sale traded to BOS... the "good news", now DET will only have to

Tony de Florida Agree, without Miggy and JV attendance should go in the tank unless we're getting Trout from the Angels or Jake

Smoking Loon Stormin, in my opinion Detroit is a worse and less interesting team without Verlander and Cabrera, a team without a

StorminNorman$ word on the street is that Tiger fans should get used to mediocrity, unless some of the young players and

Tony de Florida I've been too busy to add my wisdom (please control your laughter) but have been trying to read the blog

StorminNorman$ i could see DD bringing him to BOS to replace Big Sloppy, but i doubt BOS would give up much

Only Tiger Fan in Mississippi V-Mart trade talk:
http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/209950064/tigers-victor-martinez-drawing-interest/
As we know, while the guy can certainly hit a baseball, he isn't the fastest thing around